Simon & Schuster Canada’s Comments (group member since Jun 01, 2016)

Simon & Schuster Canada’s comments from the The Light Between Oceans Read-A-Long group.

As we come to the end of our read-a-long, we only had a couple chapters left and I applaud those of you who were able to resist finishing the book. Separating these chapters from the ones discussed last week was a nice natural break as Stedman has now taken us six months later into the story. We learn Tom went to jail for a short period of time. Isabel also went to jail, but we learn the impact of losing Lucy put her into a depression and she had to stay in a monitored home until she recovered.

Making mistakes and forgiveness felt like the main themes of these last chapters. The story shifted back to Tom and Isabel’s perspective and now that the dust has settled, my heart truly goes out to both of them. Imagining what it must be like to live such a happy fulfilled life with your daughter and now knowing you’ll never be able to see her again. It’s so interesting how things come full circle in the story and the parallels between Tom and Isabel’s lives and Hannah’s.

We see that Tom and Isabel have a lot to work through in terms of their marriage. Isabel still resents Tom for what he did. As the chapter continued, we learn that they did reconcile and that Isabel fully repents for her wrongdoings. The pages where Isabel’s health begins to deteriorate was so hard to read, especially from Tom’s point of view. Just knowing the unconditional love that Tom has had for her through their entire lives made it that much more sad. She truly opened his heart.

“His Izzy. His other half of the sky” pg. 337 (Was I the only one who welled up at this?)

I think the most heartbreaking part of the entire book was when Lucy returns back to see the Sherbournes’ and Isabel has already passed.

It’s the last passage that is so important, and this quote truly sums up the entire book:

“Scars are just another kind of memory.” Pg 343

Can you believe it’s been 8 weeks? This has been such an enjoyable experience and I truly enjoyed this book. I hope you all did too! My only discussion question is:

1. Share your thoughts on the book as a whole. What did you like? What did you dislike? What were your favourite parts?

2. Has the book made you want to see the film?

It has been lovely, thank you everyone!

Caitlyn

Susan wrote: "1. I completely agree with what Gwen did although if I was Hannah I would be livid! I think that Gwen is right that it would be best to give Lucy back to the only parents she's ever known. It's jus..."

I don't blame you! It's hard to resist when the end is so close.
The final read-a-long discussion will be posted tomorrow. I can't believe its been 8 weeks!

As we’re nearing the end of The Light Between Oceans, I felt the theme in these last couple chapters were based around decisions and consequences. This theme is especially portrayed through Lucy/Grace. M.L. Stedman is showing us how the decisions of Tom and Isabel have impacted Lucy and will continue to impact her for the rest of her life.

As many of us discussed in our previous thread, Dr. Sumpton’s advice isn’t exactly what you would call sound. Clearly he does not understand the emotional trauma that Lucy is going through and this is especially shown in his comparison of Lucy’s situation to that of a physical surgery. Lucy’s emotional wounds of being ripped from Tom and Isabel will cut deeper and take longer to heal than any surgical procedure. This also goes the same for Hannah, it will take a very long time for her to come to terms with the fact that Lucy is not the Grace she lost so many years ago.

This is shown clearly in the line:

“’I want my Grace back,” she mouths silently through her tears. “This isn’t my Grace!” Her baby had died, after all.”(Pg 288)

Reading the moment where Gwen brings Lucy to see Isabel gave me such a sigh of relief, the feeling that finally this child can have a moment of peace. But, it was cut short when reality comes back and we all know she can’t stay with her.

To me, these chapters felt like Isabel’s last chance to redeem herself with the town and with us as readers. She finally comes clean about her involvement with Lucy (although, her lying to Hannah the entire time did not help her situation). When she sees Tom at the police station it was such an emotional scene, Tom would do anything for her and we see Isabel finally showing remorse and taking responsibility.

This book has been an emotional roller coaster and we’re so close to the end. I hope you’re all enjoying it as much as I am!

Just a note - if you are interested in seeing an advance screening of the film, enter our contest to win passes!
Enter here: http://www.simonandschuster.ca/pages/...

QUESTIONS:

1. Do you think it was right of Gwen to intervene in Hannah and Lucy’s relationship? She first brings Lucy to see her mother without Hannah’s consent and then convinces Hannah to offer Lucy back to Isabel permanently. How would you react if this was something your sister had done?

2. Were you surprised by Isabel’s final decision to admit her role in the choice to keep Lucy—freeing Tom, but losing her child forever? Why or why not? What would you have done?

Can't wait to see THE LIGHT BETWEEN OCEANS? Now you won't have to!

Enter for a chance to win our book club prize pack, including copies of the bestselling novel by M.L. Stedman, a Kernels Extraordinary Popcorn gift card and Party Pail, and 4 advance screening passes to the film in a city near you.

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*Canada only

Out of everyone in these chapters, the character my heart went out to the most was Lucy. Remember being young and sent off to school, crying the instant you left your parents? Now picture that feeling multiplied by 1000 when Lucy is ripped from the people who she thought were her mother and father for her entire life.

The other character’s I felt deeply for were Isabel’s parents. After all the hardship those two have been through, losing their sons in the war, and to now lose a granddaughter is so heart wrenching to read.

The more I read, the more I lose sympathy for Isabel. Many of you may disagree, but I just can’t keep making excuses for her actions. In the beginning, it was her miscarriages and vulnerability that I allowed as her reasons for keeping Lucy and the secret all these years. But now, once everything has been revealed, the way she is treating Tom is completely unfair. At the end of the day, it comes down to exactly what Ralph says:

“She is a grown woman, Tom.” (pg 265)

I think it is time for Isabel to take responsibility for her actions, take some of the blame for what she and Tom took part in together.

The most heartbreaking scene to read was the exchange in the shop between Hannah’s family, Lucy, and Isabel’s family. The feeling of relief that Lucy had when she spotted her mother must have been so overwhelming and then to be ripped from her again was probably devastating. I’m interested to see where Lucy and Hannah’s relationship goes, how they find a way to build a relationship together as mother and daughter.

QUESTIONS:

1. Do you agree with Dr. Sumpton’s advice to Hannah? How would you suggest Hannah and Lucy address and cope with their new lives together?

2. Do you think Tom will end up taking the entire brunt of the consequences for Lucy’s “kidnapping”?

Shonna wrote: "1. For me the most shocking was Hannah being the woman on the boat. I had to go back and reread that chapter. That part of the story seemed so insignificant. More just setting the character of Tom...."

That would be so shocking! I can't help but imagine that actually happening now...Isabel would be furious!

The jig is UP! Everything seemed to come crashing down for Tom and Isabel in these chapters. Their biggest secret was finally revealed!

Starting from the beginning of the chapters, we learn that Hannah was the woman from the boat that Tom saved early in the novel. When Tom realizes this he is not only shocked that he is being approached by Lucy’s real mother, but that him and Hannah have a connection that goes years back.

It’s in this scene that we see Hannah meet her real child and not even know Lucy is her daughter! It was so heartbreaking to see her interact with Lucy, to see her pain and to be unaware that Tom and Isabel were the cause of it.

The biggest game changer in these chapters was the rattle and the note that was left with Hannah. This was the undoing of their entire secret. It finally comes out that all this time Tom was the one who sent the letter two years ago and who sent the rattle. In our last discussion, many of us touched on Stedman implying it was Isabel who had sent the letter and now we learn that it was Tom.

It’s in the following moments that we see Isabel distance herself from her husband. She sees Tom as her ultimate betrayer, as a traitor to her and her daughter.

Tom takes the blame for his wife, sheltering her from the hands of the law, and in return she calls him a monster.

My favourite quote:

“The Janus bubble had shattered like glass: here he was, in a crowd, in an ordinary real room, full of people, of other lives.” (pg 187, ch 21)

QUESTIONS:

1. What was the most shocking revelation for you in these chapters? Such as: Hannah being the woman on the boat, Tom sending the letter and the rattle, Bluey giving them up, etc.

2. Tom and Isabel’s deception impacts the lives of everyone around them. What did you think of the other characters’ reactions when they discover the truth about Lucy? Consider Hannah, Gwen, Septimus, Isabel’s parents, Ralph, Bluey.

3. Can we sympathize with Isabel in these chapters? Wouldn’t many of us react the same way if our child was taken away from us?

4. How do you think Isabel will use the “weapons” Tom provided her to make him suffer?

Aurora wrote: "I was quite surprised to find out that Isabel would send that letter. It demonstrates that she on some level understands the grief that Hannah is going through in some way. I especially found the '..."

Aurora, you make a really good point, I tried to find a sentence where it concretely says that Isabel sent the letter but all I could see was this:

“She shivered. In dark moments, she had wondered whether it was worse to believe your daughter was dead, or that she was alive and you would never see her; she had imagined Hannah’s torment.”

While she never explicitly says that she sent the letter, it is implied and many of us assumed it - but, is this the work of Stedman trying to throw us for a loop?

What do you all think? Are we missing a detail that anyone else found? Is there concrete evidence for either side?

We have made it halfway through The Light Between Oceans and the book just keeps getting better and better. Not to mention, tugging at my heart-strings more and more!

It was in these chapters that I felt the focus on Tom and Isabel shift to Hannah Roennfeldt. We see life from Hannah’s perspective, learn her backstory, and also learn about her life with her husband and Lucy. When Stedman gives us a glimpse into the moment Hannah meets Frank, I feel like she is drawing parallels between the two couples to the surface. This made me think of the question of fate, how is it that Hannah drew the short straw in life compared to Isabel?

These chapters showcased Hannah’s pain very vividly. I feel that Stedman is truly trying to weigh each side equally in terms of who is right and wrong and who deserves our sympathy as readers. I must admit, as much as I feel for Tom and Lucy – Hannah Rooenfeldt has been through a nightmare.

After Isabel sends Hannah the letter, it was this quote that truly tipped me onto Team Rooenfeldt:
“She shivered. In dark moments, she had wondered whether it was worse to believe your daughter was dead, or that she was alive and you would never see her; she had imagined Hannah’s torment.” (pg 182, ch 20)

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1. We do not learn it was Isabel who sent the letter to Hannah until later in the chapters, were you surprised it was her who sent it and not Tom?

2. When Isabel says “Tom is a good man. Tom will do the right thing, always: she can rely on that.”, do you think Isabel sees Tom’s idea of “right” differently than he does?

3. What “team” are you on? Has Stedman swayed you towards one side or the other? How and why?

Stephanie wrote: "I found that it became much more clear in this section that Isabel is incredibly manipulative.She plays on Tom's every weakness especially the issue of an orphanage which she brought up in the firs..."

Your point about Isabel's diagnosis is really interesting to me and the connection to the mercury. I never considered that as possible reason for all the miscarriages.

I also loved this connection:

"This part of the story made me think of the book The Deep End of The Ocean by Jacquelyn Mitchard. Tom and Isabel are the family who "abducted" someone else's child and now we see the impact it is having on Hannah and her family."

I find it interesting that Tom and Isabel don't actually acknowledge (or want to acknowledge) that essentially they have kidnapped someones child.

Excellent discussion everyone!

CHAPTER 11-15 DISCUSSION

These chapters of The Light Between Oceans had me hooked. There was a feeling and picture that was consistently painted throughout this chapter, and that was Tom’s inner torment about keeping baby Lucy.

I have come to notice that Stedman packs meaning into every line and the words spoken by the characters. A very interesting part to read was Tom burying Lucy’s father and his flashbacks from the war. It was his call for forgiveness to God that was a very powerful moment. This moment not only solidifies that he is against the decision but also that he is wiling to go along with the lie to appease Isabel, asking for mercy on her as well.

As we see Lucy grow up on Janus, we also see that Tom’s torment is relentless. He is cornered from every side and reminded of his biggest sin. It seemed that every innocent moment he tried to go with his life, such as reading Lucy a bedtime story or filling in his log, he is struck with the hard truth – the “iron collar” of this lie.

Chapter 15 is where the plot thickens! We learn the story behind Lucy’s arrival on Janus and that her mother is still alive and well. More importantly, we see the strong moral divide between Tom and Lucy – Tom desperately wanting to tell the truth and Isabel using all her pull to refuse.

There were so many impactful quotes from these chapters that I had to choose two:

“At night, Tom began to dream he was drowning…then pull him deeper and deeper into the dark water until he awoke gasping and sweating, while Isabel slept beatifically beside him.” (Pg 105, Ch 11)

“Tom felt a shiver creep through him. Just as he couldn’t now imagine having lived in this world without meeting Isabel, he realized that Lucy, too, was making her way inside his heart. And he wished she belonged there.” (Pg 109, Ch 12)

QUESTIONS:

1. Which characters are winning your sympathy and why? Has this been shifting over the course of the novel?

2. Is your notion of what was best or right shifting as you continue reading?

3. There was one quote I felt was interesting considering our previous discussions:
“ Stop it, Tom. I’m trying to say something…you just send me packing with some silly joke like im a child who doesn’t understand or cannot be trusted with the truth.”(pg 116, Ch 13).
Do you think Isabel is growing out of her naiveté or do you think that her continued actions prove she doesn’t understand the gravity of the situation?

4. What were your favourite quotes/ parts of these chapters?

Annie wrote: "In these chapters, we saw both the happiness and sadness that Isabel and Tom had in their first four years of marriage and living on Janus Island. I think that after living alone for so long and af..."

I really enjoyed this response by Annie and her comparison of Tom and Isabel's childhoods and how that plays a role in their decisions in the novel.

I must agree with your point here:

"I expect that we will see him in an inner conflict for the rest of the story between doing the right thing and trying to keep Isabel happy and his family together."

I can't help feeling that it's unfair Tom must bear most of the torment on his shoulders and is plagued by this decision in the moment and most likely throughout the story.

Does anyone have any thoughts about this? Do you feel the author gives us more of a glimpse into Tom's mental state compared to Isabel's?

* Please keep in mind, there will be spoilers for the chapters we are currently discussing, but if you've read ahead, please don't share any details for those who are reading the book for the first time.

CHAPTER 6 – 10 DISCUSSION

Like many of you, I could not WAIT to read more of The Light Between Oceans!

I want to start off our discussion with this quote from Isabel:

“So none of the light gets away without earning its keep.”

There was something about this quote, paired with some really poignant light and dark imagery from Stedman that really got me thinking about Janus and the force it has over this couple - forever tied to the lighthouse, unable to leave.

These chapters started off with letter writing, something I love to read in a book. I find time really jumps in TLBO (The Light Between Oceans) and we saw this with the second letter ending in a confirmed marriage between Tom and Isabel. In these chapters, Stedman further portrayed something that was mentioned in the previous discussion, Isabel’s naiveté.

It was lovely to read Tom and Isabel’s newlywed interactions alone on the island. When Isabel experiences her first miscarriage, there was a line that Tom says that I felt was really important:
“You’re the only thing in this world that I want, Izz, and you’re right here…”
It gives me the feeling that Isabel and Janus may be enough for Tom and fulfills his life, but that in turn this may not be the case for Isabel.

Chapter 10 is where the book really begins to push forward. We are brought to the scene from the preface and the baby washes ashore. This could not have come at a more vulnerable time for Isabel as we learned she just suffered a truly heartbreaking miscarriage, again.

I want to leave some discussion for the group so let’s jump right in!

The quote that made the most impact on me:

“He took her hand, but remained bewildered. And deep withing, his uneasiness grew.” (Ch. 10, pg 96)

QUESTIONS:

1. Janus Rock is named for Janus, the Roman God of doorways, “always looking both ways, torn between two ways of seeing things.” (pg 65) How does this knowledge impact your reading of The Light Between Oceans? Who is “torn between two ways of seeing things”?

2. Discuss the theme of opposites in The Light Between Oceans—darkness and light; safety and danger; land and water; truth and lies. How do these opposing forces shape your reading?

3. Do you think Tom’s relationship with his mother influences the way he feels and acts in the most desperate situations that are posed in the novel, especially in regards to the arrival of the baby?

4. Isabel’s naiveté seems to be playing a constant theme so far in the book. She has a habit of consistently laying claim to things that don’t belong to her, such as the places on Janus. While she lays claim, Tom considers himself a guest: “Janus did not belong to him, he belonged to it…”. How do you think these two opposite approaches will play out in the future?

Can't wait to hear what you think!

- Caitlyn

ebookclassics wrote: "Let me start by saying I didn't realize M.L Stedman was a woman and this was a debut novel until I read the cover of the book, so I'm happy for her tremendous success.

What I like about the prefac..."

I really liked this interpretation of Tom and Isabel's relationship and the qualities they have to offer one another:

"Although Tom and Isabel's courtship was very sweet and romantic, it's clear from the beginning that she is naïve and has romanticized marriage and living on the island. However it's this whimsy and innocence that provides Tom with an escape from his trauma."

Such an excellent way to understand how these characters are influenced by one another in how they may act and react to situations - how Isabel's naiveté is almost fed by Tom's need for innocence and positive spirit in his life and how this will affect what is to come for this couple.

Thank you ALL for your contributions to the discussion, every one of your comments was enlightening and enjoyable to read!

For those of you just getting into the book, please continue to contribute to this thread.
For those of you ready to discuss the next set of chapters, a new discussion thread will be started today!

- Caitlyn

It's time to kick off our read-a-long of The Light Between Oceans!

I'm going to start with some of my initial thoughts and feelings that cover the preface to chapter 5 and then I will pose some questions to all of you.

Please keep in mind, there will be spoilers for the chapters we are currently discussing, but if you've read ahead, please don't share any details for those who are reading the book for the first time.

PREFACE - CHAPTER 5

M.L. Stedman sure starts the book off with a bang!
We are given a glimpse into the pivotal moment of the book, a baby arrives on Janus - all ofwhich is still to come. This is our first introduction to Tom and Isabel and we really have no idea what is motivating their actions, we don't know what has shaped their personalities and their reactions to this life changing incident.
When I finished the short preface there were two things I noticed and sensed instantly:

First, Stedman's writing is enchanting. I loved it and can't wait to devour more!

Second, there is so much foreboding in this preface that I get the feeling that things can't possibly work out for the best for Tom and Isabel.

Once the preface ends and the dust settles, we're placed at the beginning of the story—to where it begins and a proper introduction of Tom. We learn that he served in World War I. There is the scene on the boat where he helps a woman from a potential sexual assault. I felt Stedman really wanted to impress on the reader that Tom is a truly compassionate character.

My favourite moments so far have been the beginning romance of Tom and Isabel, from their meeting to their letter writing and first kiss. Knowing what kind of potential hardship is to come from the preface, it is so nice to read about these simple and innocent moments between them.

What was your favourite moment?

The quote that made the most impact on me:
"Though the music was tuneful, it failed to comfort him as he climbed the stairs of the light, fending off a strange uneasiness at the concession he had made." (pg. 8, preface)

QUESTIONS

These questions are only guidelines, feel free to pose your own and discuss other aspects of the chapters.

1. The novel opens with Isabel whispering this quote from the Our Father prayer:
"...and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil"
What do you think this signifies for Isabel and Tom's future?

2. Stedman gives us a glimpse into Tom and Isabel's future through the preface. Observe their relationship from that point in time. What can we infer about the dynamic? Who holds the most sway in decisions?

3. Tom is haunted by what he witnessed—and what he did—during his enlistment in World War I. How do you think Tom’s experiences as a soldier impact his decisions throughout the novel? What other outside elements, like the war, influences the narrative?

- Caitlyn

In case you've missed it, the new media tie-in cover has been released for the book.

It's gorgeous - check it out, I've uploaded it in the group images!

Also, in case you've missed it, the new media tie-in cover has been released for the book.

It's gorgeous - check it out, I've uploaded it in the group images!

We are loving all of your enthusiasm! I'm sure some of you have dipped into the first couple chapters so far.

The discussion of the preface to chapter 5 kicks off this Friday. Be sure to check back and share your first impressions and thoughts on these early chapters with the rest of the group.

Can't wait!

Agreed, Ainy! Michael Fassbender is an excellent actor and I think he'll do well in the role.

Excellent point about the trailer! For those of you not wanting to be spoiled, watch the trailer once we've worked our way into the book.

Don't forget, starting Friday!

Before we dig into the book, let's start some conversation about The Light Between Oceans trailer and casting!

What do all of you think of the trailer? How do you feel about the casting choices? and if it were up to you, who would be your dream cast for The Light Between Oceans movie?

If you haven't already, check out the trailer here: http://bit.ly/1NtVSEy